CALENDAR JULY 2002

Weekly (Mon.-Sun.)

HIV Testing. The Montrose Clinic now offers free confidential HIV testing every day of the week at the following locations. Monday: Keys West (817 W. Dallas), 8 pm-midnight. Tuesday: The Club Houston (2205 Fannin), 8 pm-midnight. Wednesday: Mary's (1022 Westhei-mer), 4-8 pm; the Houston Lesbian & Gay Community Center (803 Haw-thorne), 6-9 pm; Ripcord (715 Fairview), 9 pm-midnight; EJ's (2517 Ralph), 10 pm-1 am; and Midtowne Spa (3100 Fannin), 10 pm-1 am. Thursday: The Outpost (1419 Richmond), 4 pm-8 pm; Brazos River Bottom (2400 Brazos), 8 pm-midnight; Cousins (817 Fairview), 8 pm-midnight; and Toyz Disco (5322 Glenmont), 10 pm-1 am. Friday: The Meatrack (2915 San Jacinto), 10 pm-2 am; EJ's (2517 Ralph), 10 pm-1am; and Midtowne Spa (3100 Fannin), 10 pm-1 am. Saturday: Viviana's (5219 Washington), 11 pm-2 am. Sunday: Club Inergy (5750 Chimney Rock), 9 pm-midnight. The clinic also offers classes for those newly diagnosed with HIV or Hepatitis C. For more info: 713/830-3000.

5 (Fri.)

Poet Michael Bolin, author of Mourning Contagious Beauty, will begin hosting a monthly poetry night at the Houston Lesbian & Gay Community Center on Friday at 8 pm. Poetry Night will be held on the first Friday of every month. These readings are open to the public. Individual donations are encouraged to help support the center, located at 803 Hawthorne at Stanford. Writers interested in participating may contact Bolin through the center at 713/524-3818.

7 (Sun.)

Post July 4 Potluck BBQ is brought to you by S.T.A.G. (Some Transgenders Are Guys). All forms of transgender/gender-variant persons/SOFFAs (significant others, friends, families, allies) are welcome. Since this is a potluck event, if you are unsure of what to bring, contact Troy Ham at troy-61@webtv.net. 2 pm-6+ @ Houston Lesbian & Gay Community Center, 803 Hawthorne.

12 & 13 (Fri. & Sat.)

Hitchcock's Suspense & Oscar's Glitter. Enjoy two evenings of fun, suspense, glitter, & good music when the Houston Symphony performs music from Alfred Hitchcock's classic films and scores from Oscar-winning films. • "Hitchcock's Screen Classics": Excerpts from the legendary moviemaker's films (To Catch a Thief, Strangers on a Train, Dial M for Murder, & North by Northwest) are projected on screen as the Houston Symphony recreates the music. • "A Night at the Oscars": Scenes from the movies glitter on a giant projection screen while the Houston Symphony plays scores from Oscar-winning films (The Wizard of Oz, An American in Paris, Citizen Kane, Robin Hood, Gone with the Wind, & Ben Hur). • Both at 8:30 pm @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Tickets ($7-$12) are available at all Ticketmaster outlets or can be charged at 713/629-3700. Info: 281/363-3300.

20 (Sat.)

Burlesque Contest sponsored by Fanny LaFaye's Blue Burlesque at the Rhythm Room. Open to striptease artists & comedians over the age of 21. Pick up entry form at the Rhythm Room, 1815 Washington, or e-mail dkmurphy @juno.com. Prizes awarded, and the 1st-place winner will perform in Fanny LaFaye's next show. Info: 281/412-7289.

20 & 28 (Sat. & Sun.)

Family to Family Adoptions, a nonprofit licensed agency, is offering a free adoption seminar discussing how to adopt a child in less than one year. They currently have programs in the U.S., China, Guatemala, Russia, Vietnam, & other countries. They work with single men, single women, & couples 25 to 65 years of age. A free informational is included. • On the 20th: 1-4 pm @ Family to Family Adoptions, Inc., 1000 Austin St., Ste. B, Richmond, TX. • On the 28th: 1-4 pm @ Clear Lake Hospital, 500 Center Blvd., Webster, TX. • More info: 281/342-4042; e-mail info@fam2fam.org or fam2fam@ aol.com; website www.fam2fam.org.

21 (Sun.)

My Fair Lady. Audrey Hepburn & Rex Harrison star in this retelling of Pygmalion. Professor Higgins (Harrison) transforms ill-mannered cockney Eliza Doolittle (Hepburn) into a lady of society. Featured songs include "The Rain in Spain," "Wouldn't It Be Loverly," & "I Could Have Danced All Night." Tickets $5 ($4 members/seniors/students). 2 pm @ Museum of Fine Arts (Brown Auditorium), 1001 Bissonnet. Tickets $5 ($4 members/seniors/students). Info: 713/639-7515 or www.mfah.org.

26 (Fri.)

ComedySportz, an improvisational comedy show, will travel to Rock Island, Illinois, to compete in the 14th Annual ComedySportz National Tournament, which will showcase 20 teams from across the nation. The teams will compete for the coveted "meaningless cup," awarded to the champion of the tournament. ComedySportz-Houston, having placed third in the nation for the past six years, is gearing up for the competition, is holding a local match featuring the 2002 tournament teams at 8 pm @ Lambert Hall, 1703 Heights Blvd. at 17th St. Admission is $10. For more info/reservations: 713/868-1444.

PLANNING AHEAD FOR AUGUST & BEYOND

August 3-11 (Sat.-Sun.)

National Association of Black and White Men Together (NABWMT) is holding its 22nd annual convention in Miami. A plenary session will be addressed by Louie Crew, associate professor of English at Rutgers University. A second plenary session will feature an address by Dr. James T. Sears, an independent scholar who has authored or edited 13 books, including Rebels, Rubyfruit, and Rhinestones. A variety of workshops is scheduled: gay estate planning, sexuality and sex, homosexuality behind bars, reapportionment and black America, and the media & the African-American electorate during the Florida 2000 election (at press time, more workshops were being scheduled). Also on the agenda: a "No Talent/Talent Show," a more somber & poignant memorial service, and a one-day Multi-racial/Multi-cultural Institute at the convention in Miami Beach, Florida, @ the Shelborne Beach Resort. Registration/inquiries: 305/545-6105; fax 305/545-0508; e-mail alwakefield@aol.com or nabwmt@mindspring.com.

August 10 (Sat.)

Melissa Etheridge. The openly gay rock star performs at 7:30 pm @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Tickets ($41 & $81) are available at all Ticketmaster outlets or can be charged at 713/629-3700. For more info: 281/363-3300.

August 19-25 (Mon.-Sun.)

GLBTQ Summer Camp. A rainbow flag will fly over one corner of Kezar Falls, a quiet village 45 minutes outside Portland, Maine, beginning Aug. 19. That is the day 200-plus gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender men & women converge on Kezar Falls for a decidedly queer twist on summer camp (this is the sixth year). Campers come from 24 states & 12 countries. Opportunities abound at "Camp" Camp: ropes adventure course, waterfront activities, pottery making, theater games, journal writing, yoga, stargazing, & cooking classes. Evening activities have included an all-camp square dance & the ever-popular talent/no talent show. The $898 camp tuition covers lodging, meals, & all activities. Facilities include a theater; sound studio; tennis, basketball, & volleyball courts; hot tub; and arts & crafts studios. Cabins, which accommodate eight to 25 campers, have electricity & running water. More info: 888-924-8380 (toll free) or www.campcamp.com.

October 17-21 (Thu.-Mon.)

Texas Lesbian Conference (TLC) honors its 15th anniversary with its first-ever conference at sea. Attendees will board the Carnival ship "Celebration" in Galveston & cruise to Cozumel, Mexico, for 4 days of fun, entertainment, & conference activities. The conference theme, "What Lesbians Really Want," will examine the changing needs of lesbians in Texas and how TLC can continue to serve its community. Speakers & workshops will be offered on-board ship. Michele Balan, known as "da Comic Princess," will entertain. All-inclusive tickets (cruise & meals on board, entertainment, port taxes, & conference fees) begin at $439 per person (double occupancy). Reservations: Stan the Cruise Man, toll free, at 1-866-200-2086 or e-mail Stan@ CruisingWithPride.com. For more info on the conference: www.texaslesbianconference.org.

October 17-21 (Thu.-Mon.)

Bisexual/Men's Awareness Institute Con-ference.This three-day weekend in San Diego's Mission Valley is hosted by the American Institute of Bisexuality (AIB), an organization founded 10 years ago to educate the public about the subject of bisexuality. The AIB created this conference in 2000 expressly to allow bisexual and bi curious men to gather in a safe, supportive environment to dialogue on their issues of concern, including their feelings of invisibility & the societal pressures to remain closeted. This 3rd annual conference will offer approximately 12 workshops (covering themes including coming out, relationships, culture, spirituality, identity, health, & more) & numerous social events. There will be a Friday night no-host welcome reception, a Saturday evening banquet with live entertainment, as well as time to explore San Diego. Registration fees: $40-$120 depending upon the activities selected & whether registration has been completed by the Sept. 27 early-bird deadline. Southwest Airlines is offering a special discount for conference attendees. More info: www.bisexual.org/pages/newconf/sdsandiego/. Workshop info: Alexei Guren at 206/709-8676 or Alexei_Guren@msn.com. Inquiries about AIB: Dr. Fritz Klein at 619/542-0088 or FritzKlein@aol.com.

October 24-26 (Thu.-Sat.)

LGBT Medical Conference. Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) is holding its 20th annual conference in Toronto. The conference is designed for physicians & other healthcare professionals and provides both Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits and Continuing Education Units (CEU) to attendees through dozens of workshops & seminars that relate to LGBT health. The 3-day program will focus on primary care & biopsychosocial issues, as well as policy & advocacy. The conference will take place at the Fairmont's Royal York Hotel in Toronto, Canada. More info & early-bird registration discounts are available at the GLMA website: www.glma.org.

November 2-9 (Sat.-Sat.)

2002 Sydney Gay Games. The Houston Montrose Athletic Association with Mark Hoyer of American Express Travel will be the resource contact for the Houston contingent that will be going to the games. Hoyer has worked out a travel package that includes discounted hotel & flight rates. Visit the 2002 Sydney Gay Games website at www.sydney2002.org.au for more info about the events & registration. For reservations, call Mark at 713/365-6266 (reservation cost $210).

PERFORMING ARTS

Come Up and Slay Me Sometime and Marriage Can Be Murder are presented by Mystery Café, home of Comedy Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. In their new original production Come Up and Slay Me Sometime, the troupe runs roughshod over Texas history of the 1920s, as a national radio broadcast takes place at a floating speakeasy. In attendance: flappers, gangsters, historical figures, Mae West, & Abraham Lincoln. With a combination like that, somebody's going to wind up dead. • Marriage Can Be Murder takes place at a disastrous wedding ceremony and can serve as either a warning to lovebirds or a soothing balm to those who have already posted banns, as they can say, "Well, at least our wedding wasn't that bad!" Come Up and Slay Me runs Saturday nights at 8 pm in repertory with Marriage Can Be Murder, which runs Friday nights at 8 pm. Both shows are presented at Marriott West Loop, 1750 West Loop South at San Felipe. Info: 713/944-2583 or www.mysterycafehouston.com.

The Lion King. Now in its 4th sold-out year in New York, The Lion King is the winner of 25 major awards: 6 Tonys, 8 Drama Desk awards, 6 Outer Critics awards, a New York Drama Critics Award, a 1998 Theatre World Award, an Astaire Award, a Drama League Award, & a Grammy. In addition, Julie Taymor became the first woman in Broadway history to win the Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical. Elton John & Tim Rice's original score has been expanded for the stage and now features 15 numbers, including 5 from the animated film. John & Rice have written 3 new songs. The Lion King is part of the 2001-02 Broadway in Houston series presented by the Society for the Performing Arts. July 5-Aug. 25 @ Jones Hall. Purchase tickets ($19.25-$76.25) at the Jones Hall box office, at Ticketmaster locations, at www.ticketmaster.com, or 713/629-3700.

Making Porn. Adult stars Ryan Idol and Chris Steele have been slated to head the cast in a new production of Ronnie Larsen's comedy Making Porn, to be initially produced in Austin. Naughty Austin Productions, an award-winning comedy troupe, pre-cast Idol and Steele to portray "Jack" and "Ray," respectively. Idol portrayed Jack Hawk in the original off Broadway version of the show; Steele is performing in his first leading on-stage role. "We have chosen [Idol and Steele] not only because of their status in the industry but because we believe they both can really act, bringing talent and humanity to the role," says Blake Yelavich, artistic director of Naughty Austin. "Though the guys will offer plenty of eye candy, the new ideas for mounting the play are so good, we're not going to rely solely on the nudity to fill the house." Through July 13 @ Hyde Park Theater, Wed.-Sat. evenings, with early and late showings. Adults only. Ticket info: www.naughtyaustin.com or 512/407-8877.

Romeo & Juliet: Love & Sex at Holy Cross High. Prior to his first off-Broadway engagement in December, Rob Nash graces Houston for five weekends with his latest one-man show. He was recently nominated for Best Actor in a Comedy by the Austin Critics Circle for this production. According to the Austin Chronicle, "Nash brings to life on stage, just by himself, an entire community of diverse people and draws the audience into a world as well fleshed-out as the nascent stages (at least) of Garrison Keillor's Lake Woebegon. Nash simply changes his voice for each character he evokes: He changes his voice, his posture, his face's posture, and, of course, the patterns of his speech. Again, again, and again. It's like watching Sybil, for Christ's sake." July 18-Aug. 17 (Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays, 8 pm) @ Theatre New West, 1415 California (ground floor of Sonoma Restaurant bldg.). Tickets are $20 & $22. For reservations: 713/394-0464. There will be a special performance to benefit Houston Buyers Club on Wednesday, July 17, at 8pm. Tickets are $25.

The Story of Burford, Category 5! is about a force 5 hurricane that cuts a new ship channel through the Bayou City. Through August 31 @ Radio Music Theatre, 2623 Colquitt. Desserts, munchies, champagnes, wines, beers, cappuccino, & soft drinks are available for purchase throughout the show. Admission $16, reservations required; tickets must be purchased in advance at the theater or by calling 713/522-7722.

Tamalalia 7: The Love Show is presented by Infernal Bridegroom Productions and features Tamarie Cooper in her very own Harlequin romance. Do we have to tell you there's a twist? Expect Freud, John Lennon, Tom Selleck, a bunch of Hare Krishnas, and a chorus line of Cooper's ex-boyfriends. And don't forget that cute little love god, Cupid. See Tamarie get crushy, then lucky; dumped, then hitched. • Her singers sing about love. Her dancers dance about love. And that Infernal Bridegroom Productions house band plays nothing but love songs. Don't get us wrong ... this ain't the kind of love you feel for your dear old mother or your trusty old dog‹this is the kind of love that gets in your head, drives you crazy, makes you stupid, turns you upside down, inside out, and sends you round the world and back again. 8 pm, July 19-Aug. 17 @ The Axiom, 2524 McKinney. Tickets $10-$15 (special opening weekend retro rate $5.99). Reservations: 713/522-8443. Sneak preview: Thursday, July 18, $50.

The Three-Cornered Hat is a lighthearted comedy of errors set in the Spanish countryside, circa 1805. A couple who are deeply in love live happily until the village sheriff becomes enamored of the wife and sets into motion an absurdly complicated ruse to steal her affection. July 18-Aug. 17 @ Main Street Theater at Chelsea Market, 4617 Montrose Blvd. Tickets
are $20-$30. For more info: 713/524-6706 or www.mainstreettheater.com.

West Side Story. It's been 45 years since its opening on Broadway, and it's still a hot show. Co-produced by Theater Under The Stars, West Side Story will play July 17-20 & 21-27 at 8:15 pm @ the Miller Outdoor Theatre, 100 Concert Dr. Free to the public. Tickets for the covered seats are available on the day of the performance between 11:30 am & 1 pm at the Miller Theatre box office. Info: 713/558-2600 or www.tuts.com.

PERFORMING ARTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

The Firebird. In this story, the enchanting Firebird lends her magic to a young squire who sets out to bring back a beautiful princess for the Tsar's son to marry. The squire takes the Tsar's Horse of Power, and together they face dangerous adventures that introduce them to a gray wolf, gigantic sea creatures, & the magical ways of an enchanted land. Tickets $8. Tuesdays-Fridays, 10:30 am & 1 pm; Saturdays, 11:30 am & 2 pm @ Stages, 3201 Allen Parkway,713/527-0123.

RADIO

After Hours. Saturdays, midnight to 3 am. Featuring the QMZ (Queer Music Zone) with Jimmy Carper. KPFT 90.1 FM, 713/526-5738.

Queer Voices. Mondays, 8-10 pm. Features, news, music, interviews, reviews, and commentary. KPFT 90.1 FM, 713/526-4000.

ART/PHOTOGRAPHY

Americanos: Latino Life in the United States presents 120 photographs by 32 of the nation's top photojournalists, offering an extraordinary view of the breadth & variety of the Latino experience, and encompassing the spectra of national origin, economic status, education, profession, religion, & language. From celebrities such as Gloria Estefan and actress Rita Moreno, to a flag seamstress in Houston, the subjects convey a huge chunk of Latino life. Through Aug. 4 @ the Museum of Fine Arts, 1001 Bissonnet, 713/639-7300.

The Grandeur of Viceregal Mexico: Treasures from the Museo Franz Mayer examines the rich heritage of Mexico through works produced over three centuries from 1521 to 1821. The arts of Mexico as manifested in the collection of the Museo Franz Mayer in Mexico City reveal a fascinating confluence of cultures from Europe, Asia, & Meso-America that gives the Mexican arts their unique qualities. The exhibition includes painting & sculpture, furniture, metals, porcelain, & Talavera earthenware. The pieces once belonged to the banker/collector Franz Mayer, who settled in Mexico City in 1905. He left his collections as a legacy to the people of Mexico. Through Aug. 4 @ the Museum of Fine Arts, 1001 Bissonnet, 713/639-7300.

Houston Center for Photography announces its annual Juried Membership Exhibition. The national competition this year was the most competitive ever with a total of over 130 artists submitting work. Seven artists were selected to exhibit portfolios of four images each; 45 were chosen to exhibit individual images @ Houston Center for Photography, 1441 West Alabama, 713/529-4755.

In the Garden is the title of a show by a new artist, Christie Coker, who works in pastels on sandpaper & watermedia. Through July 27 @ Archway Gallery, 2013 West Gray, 713/522-2409.